Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star and 2021 US Open champion, appeared unfazed and all smiles following the confirmation that her mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz is dating Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader. The news, revealed by Nader’s sister Grace Ann during New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2025, ended months of speculation about a potential romance between Alcaraz and Raducanu, fueled by their playful partnership at the US Open. Raducanu’s positive reaction, captured in social media posts and interviews, highlights her easygoing nature amid the tennis world’s off-court drama.
The Bombshell Confirmation
Grace Ann Nader’s revelation came during an interview with E! News at the Raising Cane’s New York Fashion Week show. When asked about the rumors linking her 28-year-old sister Brooks to Alcaraz, Grace Ann confirmed, “The rumors are true. Dating is such a loose term, but I do know he’s the man of the hour.” She added that Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard and newly crowned US Open men’s champion, has already met two of Brooks’ sisters, Mary Holland and Sarah Jane, calling him “such a cutie.” Brooks, a 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model and star of the Hulu reality series *Love Thy Nader*, was spotted courtside at Alcaraz’s US Open match against Arthur Rinderknech on August 31, 2025, alongside Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn.
The confirmation put an end to whispers that Brooks was dating Alcaraz’s rival Jannik Sinner, which she playfully debunked on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* on September 2, saying, “You’re close, you’re warm,” when shown a photo from the US Open. Brooks had been at Alcaraz’s match, not Sinner’s, dropping a major hint.
Raducanu’s Smiling Reaction
Raducanu, who partnered with Alcaraz in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event on August 19-20, 2025, has been at the center of dating rumors with the Spaniard since their on-court chemistry went viral. Their promotional video amassed 3.2 million Instagram views, and fans “shipped” them as “Raducaraz,” especially after Alcaraz’s around-the-net backhand wow-ed Raducanu during their first-round loss to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula. In a June 2025 press conference, Raducanu shut down the speculation, saying, “Glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone,” insisting they were “just friends.”
When the Alcaraz-Nader news broke, Raducanu was back in England, and her response was characteristically upbeat. Photos and social media clips showed her smiling during a casual outing, with one X post noting, “Emma Raducanu all smiles post-Alcaraz dating reveal—queen handling the rumors like a champ! 😊” She reposted a joint Instagram photo with Alcaraz, Anisimova, and Tiafoe for their upcoming Newark exhibition, captioning it simply with a heart emoji, signaling no hard feelings. In a quick interview with BBC Sport, Raducanu laughed off the situation: “Carlos is a great guy, and I’m happy for him. We’ve got our exhibition coming up—plenty of fun ahead!”
Her lighthearted demeanor aligns with her handling of past rumors, including those with Alcaraz’s childhood friend Maria Gonzalez Gimenez. Raducanu’s 2025 season, featuring a Cincinnati Open third-round run and a strong hardcourt comeback after injuries, keeps her focused on tennis, with the Newark event on December 4, 2025, offering a chance to reunite with Alcaraz platonically.
A Tennis World in Turmoil
The Alcaraz-Nader romance adds to a whirlwind of off-court stories in tennis. Alcaraz, single as recently as July 2024 when he told *The Sunday Times*, “It can be difficult as a tennis player to meet the right person because you are travelling all the time,” now navigates fame with Brooks, whose past includes a marriage to Billy Haire (2019-2022) and a fling with Gleb Savchenko. Fans on X are thrilled, with posts like, “Carlos and Brooks? Power couple alert! Emma’s smile says it all—no drama here 🥎💃.”
Meanwhile, other headlines include Alex de Minaur’s Davis Cup preparations against Belgium, overshadowed by Lleyton Hewitt’s £15,000 fine, and Luke Littler’s £1 million milestone in darts. Raducanu’s poised reaction stands out, emphasizing friendship over rivalry in the spotlight.
Smiles All Around
Emma Raducanu’s all-smiles response to the Alcaraz-Nader bombshell showcases her maturity and focus. As she prepares for the Newark exhibition with Alcaraz—where she’ll face Amanda Anisimova—Raducanu proves that while tennis rumors come and go, her positive spirit endures. With Alcaraz’s romance confirmed and their “Raducaraz” era behind them, the duo’s friendship remains a highlight, leaving fans smiling too.
